1. Som-it-upfrom
Issue 5 - Autumn / Winter 2012/13
GROW SOMERSET TALENT,
WATCH YOUR BUSINESS GROW
Campaign number three is alive and kicking!
Get involved, give us a call today…
You may be thinking, what’s all the fuss about!
It’s because 100 day campaigns are
proving highly successful in Somerset,
Morland Hall celebrates as employers, apprentices, training
the Diamond Jubilee in style providers, partners and the media look
to promote Apprenticeships.
with Somerset Skills &
Learning Mosaics Course! The concept is simple - to generate
Apprenticeship vacancies in
A special Diamond Jubilee mosaic course
was organised by Somerset Skills &
Learning working in partnership with
businesses within the local area within
100 days. The aim is for the public sector and private business leaders,
training providers, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the local
newspaper and/or radio station to work in partnership to deliver a sustained
Morland Hall in Highbridge. This is one of a
range of new first steps art courses that provided campaign to influence the business community to drive once again the
opportunity for local residents to participate in number of Apprenticeship opportunities.
taster sessions in art based activities. The campaigns benefit the business community, adults and young people;
The idea for the course came from local providing positive messages to the entire community and will benefit the
residents and people attending the Morland Hall economy.
Community Centre, which is located in a
Previous campaigns have focused on all employers or new businesses for
disadvantaged ward in Highbridge. Participants
Apprenticeship pledges. These have been highly successful campaigns
on the course had the opportunity to learn how
and surpassed set targets.
to plan and create a mosaic design and learnt
skills such as how to safely cut glass and The focal market this time is 16 to 24 year olds.
grouting techniques.
All the mosaics were inspired by the Diamond For example: 16 to 24 year olds starting a new job/apprenticeship with an
Jubilee celebrations and the finished pieces will employer. (Please note this criteria is campaign
have pride of place in the public waiting area at led only, Apprenticeships are available to all age
Highbridge Medical Centre. groups, all enquiries welcome).
Richard Mathews from the Sedgemoor The target audience will align with the current
Community Partnership said “We wanted to find Employer Apprenticeship Grant (AGE) of £1500
some way of creating a piece of art work to currently available to employers who employ a
celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. I can’t 16 to 24 year old (subject to eligibility).
think of a better way of celebrating than Please call 01278 426828 or email
encouraging people to have fun, try out new busdevall@somerset.gov.uk for more information
activities together and learn something new.” or to apply.
The course was organised by the Somerset Skills Somerset Skills & Learning request your help to make this one of the best
& Learning Widening Participation Team who campaigns ever!
work with voluntary and community groups and
disadvantaged individuals. If you would like to Don’t forget - The 100 Day Apprenticeship Challenge has become one of the
organise a course for your community group or most successful campaigns, not just in Somerset but all over the country.
in your local area please call Jenny Perks on
07920 211172 or email jperks@somerset.gov.uk You really don’t want to miss out!

2. STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
NEWS
from the Hospitality Team
The hospitality and catering team would
be interested in meeting people who are
genuinely interested in a career in
hospitality or who may have just started
out in the industry. For these people a
new qualification is now on offer:
Level 1 -
Y
ou may have started noticing some new features in your local shops over the
Introduction to The Hospitality Industry
summer. Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) have produced display stands to
help distribute brochures to more people. The display stands hold copies of the
This qualification is suitable for employed
brochure, plus specific course information for local courses.
or unemployed individuals with little or no
“Often our learners say that SS&L needs to promote itself more as they can’t believe experience in the hospitality industry.
how great our courses are, and these stands are a way of improving our high street The programme duration is approximately
presence” said Ade Bowen, Marketing Manager at SS&L, “Putting them together can 16 weeks and to achieve this
be a bit of a jigsaw.” Ade joked. He has had to create a step by step guide to build qualification, individuals must have a
them. “The stands arrive flat packed like something from IKEA. I was lucky as I had work placement for a minimum of 16
a completed one to work from, but I have broken it down to individual steps so weeks; this can be paid or unpaid.
everyone stands a chance.”
Individuals must have the ability to
With courses ranging from helping to gain employment, achieve a qualification, get fit complete short assignments and
or start a new hobby, readers could really benefit from joining. If you ask nicely, Ade homework, willing and able to carry out a
might even run a short course on building flat pack items as he is now a professional! variety of practical tasks that are required
for the qualification.
If your business would like a stand to help your staff and customers discover the great
range of courses available from Somerset Skills & Learning, please call Ade on
For more information please contact
01278 783057.
01278 426828.
The Penrose
Three
Three SS&L Teaching Assistants
from Penrose School, Bridgwater,
have received certificates for Sarah Keirle said, “It Marc Rayner was also Dy Trickey was also
was a brilliant course. positive about the looking to the future,
achieving a Unit in Supporting It makes you course, “It’s been “It seemed like a good
Disabled Children and Young understand the pupil great – a nice step taster course to test me
People and for Specific requirements and forward. My next step out for future courses and
Requirements of the Level 3 entitlements.” is the Introduction to study. Since completing
Diploma for the Children and Counselling Course in it, I have started a degree
Young People’s Workforce. January.” in Integrated Children’s
Services.”
For more information visit www.learnsomerset.co.uk/coursefinder

3. Somerset Skills & Learning working in partnership with
Channel Training to deliver - Activity Leadership Apprenticeships
T
his September Channel Sam and Sarah are placed at
Training has started six Woodlands and Kilvrough Manor
“I love being outdoors new Apprenticeships in Outdoor Education Centres in
and I’m also looking Activity Leadership. South Wales whilst Billy and
forward to getting some These exciting posts provide the Harry have positions at
very best introduction to working Yenworthy Lodge Outdoor
real qualifications too” in sport, leisure and the Education Centre on Exmoor.
outdoors. The Apprenticeship The three centres are owned
programmes combine on the job and run by Oxfordshire County
training in some of the industry’s Council and provide inspiring
top sport and outdoor centres outdoor learning in beautiful
with flexible, personalised residential settings. The new
learning and support. apprentices are incredibly
excited to be starting their
Apprentices, Emily and Jack careers with such a well-
have begun their Apprenticeship respected employer.
at Ashmoor Sports Centre in “I love being outdoors and I’m
Devon, having finished GCSEs at also looking forward to getting
South Dartmoor Community some real qualifications too,”
College. The Centre Manager, said Harry.
Chris Daniel, said “We are
delighted to have Emily and Head of Centre at Yenworthy
Jack on board at what is a very Lodge, Steve Cox said “The
exciting time in our history. Apprenticeship route is the best
Already they are proving way we’ve found to provide the
themselves to be valuable right training for our young
additions to the workforce, and instructors. They get real
have begun earning extra activity leadership experience
qualifications already.” The every working day, get paid a
Ashmoor Sports Centre in wage and gain the qualifications
Ashburton boasts both indoor they need.”
and outdoor sporting facilities
and is home to a number of the If you’re interested in working in
region’s leading clubs, as well as sport, leisure or the outdoors, in
offering a comprehensive the first instance call 01278
personal fitness and recreation 426828 to help you in the right
service. direction.
C H A L L E N G E YA R L I N G T O N
aty Haines works as a corporate were aiming to achieve. Katy collected
K apprentice at Yarlington Housing Group
(YHG). For one week, every year
Yarlington go out into the community to
unwanted items outside of people’s houses
that had been left for collection, and selected
quality items for people to take home, for those
work on projects. They selected four projects unable to take items to the skips Katy knocked
to work with, which were:- on doors to help and collect.
• Create a sensory garden at Fairmead
School, Yeovil “I absolutely loved my time during Challenge
• Put in dug outs at Chard Football Club Yarlington,” said Katy, “as it was not only
• Re-decorate a local coffee shop in Chard fantastic to be out of the office talking to
• To give the communities a chance to get members of the community, but you see what
rid of unwanted items by providing skips a difference it makes to people’s lives. We
Katy helped on the skip it days. There were received so many thank you’s.”
skips in different locations over five days. Katy felt that “Challenge Yarlington” was very
rewarding, she had the opportunity to meet
Katy’s involvement was to talk to residents and residents who she would normally only talk to
other members of the community about the over the phone and it’s always good putting a “Challenge Yarlington
project, why they were there and what they face to a name! was very rewarding”

4. Business - 2 - Business Zone
EMPLOYERS - GOT A
VACANCY? THINK
APPRENTICESHIP!
We can help you Develop your business
recruit the right Training your current staff is the best way of ensuring your
organisation remains competitive. A well trained workforce is:
people – all year • efficient and effective
• customer focused
round • confident and motivated
For your organisation, this means:
I
f you need to recruit staff, Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) • reduced staff turnover
can help. Our access to learners across Somerset, who have • greater productivity
completed full time education or a range of pre-employment • increased customer satisfaction
programmes and are now seeking an Apprenticeship
programme, means SS&L is able to identify potential We have an excellent track record in delivering training to
employees to help fill your vacancies, at no cost to your businesses and other organisations across the private, public
business. and voluntary sectors. Our experienced team will analyse your
company’s requirements to create a training package, which
The route to a successful Apprenticeship directly meets your business needs.
We offer nationally recognised qualifications as well as tailored
• We will work with you to identify your organisation’s needs solutions that can be delivered in your workplace.
• We will liaise with you throughout to identify the
apprenticeship role and create a job description In addition to supporting your business with training, we can
• We will advertise your vacancy on the Apprenticeship identify potential sources of funding that may support you,
Vacancy System such as Government, sector or local grants.
• We will interview and shortlist potential candidates on We are always happy to discuss your needs.
your behalf. You can be involved at this stage if you wish
• We will conduct initial assessments on your behalf to
assess literacy and numeracy skills of the candidates
• You undertake the interviews with short listed candidates.
Are you ready for the
SS&L can be involved at this stage if required
• You provide us with feedback from the interviews which
Hinkley impact?
we will pass on to the candidates The Somerset Supply Chain for Hinkley Point C will ensure that
• Once a candidate has been offered the role, we will as many Somerset firms as possible get a slice of the £10
support the completion of the start documentation for billion investment - the most significant for a generation,
the apprentice whether through direct supply to Hinkley or opportunities arising
• The apprentice will start the role with you and their from the inward bound business coming into Somerset.
training will commence How will you rise to the challenge? Does your workforce have
• We will continuously support both you and the apprentice, all the skills that will be required to enable you to win and fulfil
dealing with any potential issues as they arise contracts? Will your existing team be able to cope with
• Your apprentice can progress onto further training such as, additional orders or demands for services - not just now or next
an Advanced Apprenticeship or Professional Development year - but in 10 years time? 'Grow Somerset Talent, Grow Your
qualifications with you Business'.
What are you waiting for? Please call us on 01278 426828 or email
Contact us now on 01278 426828 busdevall@somerset.gov.uk to find out how we can grow your
or email Busdevall@somerset.gov.uk business. Visit www.learnsomerset.co.uk
To request this document in an alternative format
contact marketing on 01935 410 555
www.learnsomerset.co.uk